The effects of Pyrantel-Oxantel on the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm: An in vitro study

The present study aimed to evaluate, in vitro, the cestocidal effect of Pyrantel-Oxantel on the Dipylidium caninum tapeworm. Each intestine sample was obtained by means of a transversal incision of the abdominal area of each euthanized canine subject, individually dissected via longitudinal incision, and examined for the presence of D. caninum. An optical microscope was used to identify and verify proglottid morphology and viability based on its macroscopic appearance. The cestocidal effects of Pyrantel-Oxantel (75 mg pyrantel pamoate; 75 mg oxantel pamoate) were assessed in adult tapeworms (treated group, n= 21; control group, n= 21) placed on Petri dishes and incubated at 37 °C. One-hour post-incubation, the D. caninum cestodes treated with Pyrantel-Oxantel presented a 28 % decrease (P=0.001) in motility, which rose to a 52 % (P=0.0001) decrease by the end of the second hour. The control group (P=0.0001) presented 55.7 % motility for at least the first six hours of incubation and 4.2 % (P=0.001) motility by the end of the study, while 0 % motility was observed in the treated group by the end of the study. Pyrantel-Oxantel had a lethal effect (P=0.0001) on adult D. caninum, with 100 % mortality observed 6 h after in vitro post-incubation, while the control group presented 55.7 % viability after the same time period. In addition, Pyrantel-Oxantel reduced (P=0.001) tegument thickness by 42.5 % (10.24 ± 0.21 µm), while this was 17.81 ± 0.33 µm for the control group. The results of this study indicate that Pyrantel-Oxantel has a therapeutic effect on the presence of D. caninum, inducing both a reduction of the tegument thickness and increased mortality.

Acute Toxicity Test Of The Green Viper Snake (Trimeresurus albolabris), Macroscopic Description Of The Kidney And Liver Of Mice (Mus musculus)

According to WHO (2010), the Trimeresurus albolabris snake is a venomous snake with a high number of bite cases in Indonesia. Information on the character and level of toxicity of snake venom in Indonesia, including Trimeresurus spp. snakes, is still minimal. This study aims to determine the LD50 value (lethal dose 50), clinical symptoms, and to determine the macroscopic appearance of the liver and kidneys of mice (Mus musculus) after being injected by a the white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) venom. The LD50 value of Trimeresurus albolabris venom injected subcutaneously into mice was 5,09 mg/kgBW. Clinical symptoms that appear increased movement activity, increased respiratory rate, lethargy, decreased activity, and reduced grooming. Macroscopic appearance of the liver that looks abnormal is found (1) color changes in the form of pale, pale yellowish, and red spots (petechiae). (2) changes in surface structure found only one liver that is not flat. (3) changes in consistency in the form of brittle easily. In the kidney that looks abnormal, found (1) changes in color in the form of pale. (2) changes in surface structure were only found in one kidney in the form of nodules. (3) changes in consistency in the form of brittle easily and soft.

Haemolymph node – an immunomorpholoigcal organ: modeling the haemolymph node by allografting renal tissue in the rat

There is no authoritative identification of the attributes of the haemolymph node since Gibbes first described it in 1884. Early literatures showed that it was found near the kidney in human and animals with the characteristics of numerous erythrocytes in sinuses. Subsequent studies were mainly focused in the field of anatomy and histology, such as the source, distribution and quantity of erythrocytes in sinuses. Recent articles mentioned that the emergence of the haemolymph node was related to immunity, but there was no strong evidence to support the hypothesis. Therefore it is still uncertain whether the haemolymph node is an organ of anatomy, histology or immunology. It has been found that the development of the haemolymph node can be elicited in the parathymic area by stimuli such as Escherichia coli, allogeneic breast cancer cells and renal tissue that were injected/transplanted into the tail of rats in our pilot studies. In this study, the model of the haemolymph node was established by transferring the allogeneic renal tissue in the rat. Intrasinusoidal erythrocytes of the node were the component for producing a red macroscopic appearance, while macrophage-erythrocyte-lymphocyte rosettes were the major immunomorphological changes, which reflects the immune activity against the invasion of the allogeneic tissue within the node. Therefore the haemolymph node is an immunomorphological organ.

DIAGNOSING GRANULOMATOUS DISEASE DURING APPENDECTOMY

Difficulties during surgery are uncommon situations in appendectomy. For granulomatous appendicitis, literature is insufficient about surgical findings. The procedure of a 17-year-old male patient was a struggle due to adhesions. I thought a surgeon could expect granulomatous diseases by evaluating the macroscopic appearance of the appendix during surgical procedure.

Topical ozonated virgin coconut oil improves wound healing and increases HSP90α, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF, and CD34 in diabetic ulcer mouse model of wound healing

Background: Diabetes is a disease that affects people worldwide, including in Indonesia. The prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia is increasing from year to year. One of the most devastating complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic ulcers, which is a limb-threatening complication. Over the past few decades, ozone generated using plasma medical technology has been investigated as an agent that helps wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the effects of topical ozonated virgin coconut oil (VCO) in a diabetic wound mouse model. Methods: This study was an experimental study with a post-test control design. An ulcer wound model was made in 50 diabetic male Wistar mice, divided into five groups, and a control group of 10 non-diabetic mice. The control groups were given conventional therapy only and the treatment groups were also given topical ozonated VCO with different flow durations (0 min, 90 min, 7 h, 14 h). Macroscopic appearance and wound contraction were observed. HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF, and CD34 levels were measured from the immunostained slices of wound margins. Results: The reduction of wound length was proportionally related to the duration of ozone flow. Ozonated VCO with a longer duration of ozone flow healed the wound more quickly and had the shortest wound length. VCO with ozone flow for 14 hours (16837.10 µm) had the biggest reduction in wound length compared to other groups. The wounds treated with ozonated VCO showed an increase in HSP90β, VEGF-A, EGF, bFGF, and CD34 levels that correlated to improved wound healing. A longer period of treatment resulted in higher levels of wound healing biomarkers compared to shorter therapeutic durations. Conclusions: Topical ozonated VCO improved the wound healing process in a diabetic ulcer mouse model by improving macroscopic wound appearance and increasing levels of wound healing biomarkers.

Atlas of Micromorphological Degradation of Archaeological Birch Bark

In this paper we present an atlas of micromorphological degradation of archaeological birch bark for the first time. We analysed the morphology of 13 samples extracted from ice-logged, waterlogged and cave-retrieved objects dated from the Neolithic to the Middle Age by means of light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We then compared their morphology to that of a contemporary sample, both intact and decayed. In all samples, 13 morphological characteristics that can be associated with fungal, bacterial, chemical, mechanical and light degradation are defined and described, and example LM and TEM images are provided. This novel atlas provides conservator-restorers a much-needed tool to relate the macroscopic appearance to the microscopic structure of birch bark objects. The most important macroscopic features allowing estimation of the state of preservation at the cell level are colour changes, loss of pliability, presence of delamination and increased brittleness. Colour change and delamination can be connected to microscopic features, and microscopic analysis can trace whether they were caused by biotic, chemical or physical decay. However, increased brittleness cannot be connected to a specific microscopic feature.

A comparison of intra-operative diagnosis to histopathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis in paediatric and adult cohorts: an analysis of over 1000 patients

Background Appendicitis is a common general surgical emergency. The role of removing a normal appendix is debated. However, this relies on accurate intra-operative diagnosis of a normal appendix by the operating surgeon. This study aimed to compare surgeon’s intra-operative assessment to final histological result acute appendicitis in paediatric and adult patients. Methods All patients who underwent appendicectomy over a 14-year period in a general surgical department were identified using the prospective Lothian Surgical Audit system and pathology reports retrieved to identify final histological diagnosis. Open appendicectomy was selected to examine, as the routine practise at our institution is to remove a normal appendix at open appendicectomy. Results A total of 1035 open appendicectomies were performed for clinically suspected appendicitis. Sensitivity of intra-operative diagnosis of appendicitis with operating surgeon was high at 95.13% with no difference between trainee and consultant surgeon or between adult and paediatric cases. Specificity of intra-operative diagnosis was lower in the paediatric group (32.58%) than in the adult group (40.58%). Women had a higher rate of negative appendicectomy than men. Conclusion The results of this study highlight some discordance between histological evidence of acute appendicitis and intra-operative impression. Therefore other clinical variables and not just macroscopic appearance alone should be used when deciding to perform appendicectomy.

Feather iridescence of Coeligena hummingbird species varies due to differently organized barbs and barbules

Hummingbirds are perhaps the most exquisite bird species because of their prominent iridescence, created by stacks of melanosomes in the feather barbules. The feather colours crucially depend on the nanoscopic dimensions of the melanosome, and the displayed iridescence can distinctly vary, dependent on the spatial organization of the barbs and barbules. We have taken the genus Coeligena as a model group, with species having feathers that strongly vary in their spatial reflection properties. We studied the feather morphology and the optical characteristics. We found that the coloration of Coeligena hummingbirds depends on both the Venetian-blind-like arrangement of the barbules and the V-shaped, angular arrangement of the barbules at opposite sides of the barbs. Both the nanoscopic and microscopic organization of the hummingbird feather components determine the bird's macroscopic appearance.